
Does that computer you own have a modem? Chances are that it does!

And that modem will let your computer call the Internet thru an ISP 
(Internet Service Provider) and call other computers (and of course 
an ISP is another computer too). And perhaps that modem you have also
supports FAX that will allow you to send and receive FAX msgs on your
computer.

OK you know what a FAX is and know what an ISP is, but, "you don't know
about other computers". Other computers consist of just that. Computers
with modems and terminal host programs. Such systems are owned by friends,
businesses, organizations, government agencies, schools, and people that 
are just like you.  Many of the terminal host programs are software called
Bulletin Board Systems or more commonly referred to as BBS. Businesses,
organizations, government agencies and schools use BBSes to offer support
for their products and/or provide informational resources the to the public.

BBSes can largely be found to be run by friends or people just like you who
have discovered the ultimate enjoyment of sharing their computer(s) with 
otherpeople and making new friends. Running a BBS as a hobby is both 
expensive and time consuming for the System Operater (SysOp) but none the
less, you'll  rarely run into a BBS that asks for money to use it. That's 
right, there are thousands of BBSes around the world and many are FREE for 
you to use.

So you want can you do on a hobby BBS? Well there are many types of BBS
software that SysOps use and although the software may differ slightly to 
tremendously in appearance, they mainly have the 3 same basic functions.

1) Message Menu 

The Message Menu allows you to choose from a list of commands where you
can join message bases or topics, read and write both private and public
messages. The BBS may have Local, Echomail or email available to you.

Local messages are messages to other users that never leave the BBS.

Echomail messages are networked between other Hobby BBSes with use of 
a mailer and tosser, allowing you to send messages to a user on another
BBS. Some networks are global with thousands of BBSes linked together.

Email allows you to send internet email to someone, if the BBS is setup
for Internet email.

2) Files Menu

The File Menu is where you can download (copy to your computer) Shareware,
Freeware and Public Domain software from the BBS. There is usually a List 
command to list the software categories and give a brief descprition as to
what the software is. You can search for programs that you'd like to try
on your computer. New programs are normally introduced to the BBS on a
regular basis whether other users or the Sysop uploads them or they come
in thru the mail via file echoes. It's easy to locate the latest software
releases.

Shareware is software that functions either completely or partially disabled
depending on the developer. The shareware concept is to try the software
for a reasonable time (usually 30 days) and either register it or delete
the program from your computer... kind of like test driving a new car.

Freeware is computer software released by it's developer to the public 
at no charge and is fully functional.

Public Domain is software and text that has been written so long ago that
there is no obligation to pay for using it.

3) Door Menu

Doors are thrid party software, usually mutli-player games, that let you 
run them from the BBS. You can play games and compete with other BBS users
for high scores. Many of these games reset monthly so everyone has a chance
to win. These games are added by the SysOp and he/she  may offer a wide 
selection of Door Games. Door games can roughly be broken down into 
categories such as Card, Word, Misc and Role Playing Games (RPG).

Scabble, Word Warp, Chain Reaction, Wordz are a few of the many Word Door
games available.

BlackJack, Poker and many variations of Solitare are some of the many
Card Door Games available.

Dominoes, Yahtzee, Keno and Sky Cop are some of the many Misc. Door Games
available

Legend Of the Red Dragon (L.O.R.D.), Barren Realms Elite and Falcon's Eye
are many of the RPG Door Games Available.

To add to the fun... some Doors are InterBBS (IBBS) that will allow you to
compete with players on other BBSes. 

OK so now along with knowing that your computer and modem can FAX and 
get you on the internet, you now know that there is a BBS waiting somewhere
near you for you to call. 

How can you find a BBS in your area. Log on to Fire Escape's BBS at
314-588-0780

But you say I don't know how to locate a BBS. Well there are several ways
to find a BBS in your area, but if you can not find them feel free to drop
email to fire.escape@fehq.org and get help to locate BBSes in your vicinity.

